White Cliff Minerals (ASX:WCN) advances basin scale copper understanding at Rae through integrated drilling and geophysics

White Cliff Minerals has materially advanced its technical understanding of sediment hosted copper mineralisation at the Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, Canada, following recent drilling and airborne electromagnetic surveying that have refined the project’s geological framework.

The work has confirmed kilometre scale continuity of mineralised horizons along the basin margin while also identifying untested targets supported by coincident structural, stratigraphic, and geophysical evidence.

Troy Whittaker, Managing Director of White Cliff Minerals Limited, provides context to the results, outlining the geological significance of the work completed and how it informs the Company’s evolving exploration framework at Rae.

What does the identification of more than 1.75 km of sediment hosted copper mineralisation indicate about the scale and continuity of the Rae Copper Project?

The identification of copper mineralisation extending over more than 1.75 km north south confirms that mineralised sediments are developed along a broad section of the basin margin rather than being confined to isolated drill intersections.

Drillholes STK25001, STK25003, and STK25004 have each intersected copper mineralisation at the same stratigraphic position, specifically within reduced sediments at the base of the Rae Group, which supports the interpretation of a laterally continuous stratiform copper horizon.

This outcome is further reinforced by the structural setting, with mineralisation developed along the western margin of the Rae Group basin adjacent to the Herb Dixon Fault, a major crustal scale structure interpreted to have focused mineralising fluids into both basement rocks and overlying sediments.

At this stage of exploration, establishing kilometre scale continuity is particularly important, as it demonstrates that the mineral system has operated across a large area and provides a credible geological framework for systematic follow up drilling.

Drilling has confirmed that copper mineralisation occurs consistently within the same stratigraphic position over more than 1.75 km of strike, demonstrating basin scale continuity rather than isolated occurrences.

How should investors interpret the relatively low grade copper intercepts reported from STK25004 in the context of the broader exploration strategy?

The intercept of 16 m at 0.2% Cu from 300 m in STK25004 should be viewed in the context of first pass drilling within a greenfield sediment hosted copper setting, where the primary objective is to confirm mineralisation style, distribution, and geological controls rather than to define higher grade zones.

At this stage, the focus has been on validating that copper mineralisation occurs within the correct stratigraphic and structural settings and that it is laterally extensive along the basin margin.

Importantly, drilling at STK25004 has confirmed copper mineralisation within reactive sedimentary units and at the sediment basement unconformity, both of which are recognised chemical and depositional traps for copper in sediment hosted systems.

The hole also intersected multiple mineralised intervals within basement rocks at the unconformity, expanding the confirmed mineralised footprint along the basin margin and providing valuable geological information that has been directly incorporated into the Company’s updated exploration model.

At this stage of exploration, the significance lies less in individual grades and more in confirming that copper mineralisation is present within the correct stratigraphic and structural settings across a broad corridor.

What is the significance of the newly identified high tenor electromagnetic conductors east of current drilling?

The airborne HeliTEM survey completed in late 2025 has identified high tenor electromagnetic conductors east of the current drilling, representing a technically significant outcome of the programme.

These conductors are spatially associated with areas where multiple structural features intersect, including along the northern extension of the Herb Dixon Fault, which is interpreted to have acted as a conduit for copper rich mineralising fluids.

Critically, the conductive responses are located at depths of approximately 100 to 200 m below surface, which closely matches the depth of sediment hosted copper mineralisation intersected in drillhole STK25001.

The coincidence of elevated electrical conductivity, low magnetic response, and favourable stratigraphic position strengthens the interpretation that these anomalies may represent extensions of the same mineralised system into areas that remain untested by drilling.

High tenor electromagnetic conductors with favourable structures and the sedimentary redox boundary has defined clear, untested targets that align directly with existing copper intersections.

How does the recognition of reactive sulphidic sediments over an additional 3.5 km alter the exploration opportunity at Rae?

The identification of reactive sulphidic sediments extending a further 3.5 km to the south materially expands the area considered prospective for sediment hosted copper mineralisation at the Rae Copper Project.

These sediments represent a fundamental component of reduced facies sediment hosted copper systems, as they provide the chemical environment required for copper to precipitate from mineralising fluids at redox boundaries.

The recognition that these sediments occur under thinner cover than previously anticipated further enhances their exploration relevance, improving accessibility for future drilling.

When combined with the presence of basin margin structures and the improved understanding of mineralisation controls derived from recent drilling and geophysical data, this expanded distribution significantly enlarges the prospective contact halo where copper mineralisation may occur.

The identification of reactive sulphidic sediments over an additional 3.5 km materially expands the prospective footprint of the project and reinforces the interpretation of a large, basin wide sediment hosted copper system.

What are the key next steps following this drilling and geophysical work, and what should investors expect in the near term?

Following completion of the drilling and airborne electromagnetic survey, the Company has consolidated a substantial volume of new and historical geological and geophysical data into an updated project database.

This work has been configured and interrogated by Resource Potentials Pty Ltd, an independent geophysical and geological consultancy, materially improving the Company’s understanding of mineralisation controls across both the sediment hosted copper system at Hulk Stark and the structurally hosted mineralisation at Danvers.

The sedimentary sequence logged in drillhole STK25001 has been used to recalibrate the Company’s planned large scale drilling programme for 2026, with targeting now informed by confirmed stratigraphic controls and newly identified geophysical anomalies.

In the near term, final assay results from both the Danvers and sedimentary targets are anticipated early 2026.

Operationally, all equipment required to restart drilling, aside from personnel, is already on site, with the Company continuing to engage closely with Canadian stakeholders regarding weather conditions and potential drilling start dates.

Operational positioning and next phase planning

Taken together, the outcomes from this phase of drilling and geophysical surveying represent a material advancement in White Cliff Minerals understanding of the Rae Copper Project, particularly with respect to mineral system scale, basin margin controls, and the identification of untested targets supported by coincident geological and geophysical evidence.

As outlined by Troy Whittaker, Managing Director, the work completed to date has enabled the Company to progress beyond initial proof of concept and into a more informed phase of exploration planning, underpinned by an integrated geological model.

With final assays expected early 2026 and preparations already in place to recommence drilling when conditions allow, White Cliff Minerals is positioned to advance its exploration strategy in a disciplined and technically informed manner.

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